Controlling mechanism for motor-vehicles.



L. WHITOOMB.. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.15. 1909.

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CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1909.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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L. WHITGOMB. CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1909. 959,687, Patented May 24, 1910.

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E Ewe/atax- Figlf 'WHI'.IGOMB, BROOKLIME, :HLASSACHUSE'D'IS.

-CO NTROLLING MECHANISM FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Ipeciflcation of Letters Patent. Application med latch 15, 1909. semi-no. 483,470.

Patented May 24,1910.

To rill whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAwnnNon'WHrrooMB, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brookline, county of Norfolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Im rovement in Controllin Mechanism for otor- Vehicles, of whiclf e following descri tion, in connection with the accompanying rawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to motor vehicles of the explosive type and has for its object to rovide noveland ellicient means as will be described, for controlling the speed of the vehicle whereby the latter is prevented from being driven at a s eed in excess of a predetermined rate whi cleaving the motor free to develop its full ca acity when the speed of the vehicle falls b'e ow the predetermined rate. For this purpose I employ a. moving body of liquid,'which is responsive to the speed of the vehicle and which actuates or controls the supply of gas or explosive mixture to'the motor or which controls the ignition. The moving body of liquid is put in motion 'by the running gear of the vehicle and may be operatively connected with a throttle valvegoverningthe supply of gas to the motor, orit maybe operatively'connectedwith a circuit controller in the igniter circuit. Provision is made for varying the maximum speed limit at which the vehicle may'travel, and provision may also be made for utilizing .themoving body of liquid 'for applying thebrakes to the vehicle whenthe maximum speed limit is reached. These "and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobileprovided with a speedre'gulatin mech anism embodying this invention. ig. 2, a cross section on "the line 2-2, Fig. 1, with the vehicle body in elevation. Fig.3, a sectional detail on an enlarged scale of a throttle valve and its operating mechanism shown in Fi 1. Fig. 4, a cross section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3. -liig. 5, a partial plan and section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

. 6, a detail to be-referredtd- Figs. 7

an '8, details ofthe liquid pump shown in Fig.1, Fig.

Q 7 -7, Fig. 8. .Fig. 9-,a'detail in isectionto be referretl'to. "'10, a section on'the line.

Fi ID-+10 "Fi 1'1'andf'12, elevations g gs of a modification to be "referre '29 in a cylin 7 being a 'SBGtlOIl on the line .theports'29 and Figs. 13 and 14, elevations of another modified form of apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 10, a represents the 2 body of an automobile i1b, a.1notor of-the exvehicle.

, The parts as thus far described areand may be of any suitable or usual construction, such as now commonl used, and need not be specifically describe as they form no part of the present invention, which is applicable to any motor vehicle employing an engine of the explosive type, and which consists 1n employing a moving body of liquid which is responsive to the speed of the vehie};J arid which controls the operation of the mo r In Fi 1, the movingbody of liquid controls at rottle valve in the gassupply pi e suitable construction, but in the present instance, one form, which may be preferred,is shown. Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the throttle valve is shown as a hollow piston valve v25 provided with a central wall r partition 26 through which is extended a pistorrrod 27 the saidpiston having a series of'ports 28 in its circumference, which are adapted to-register with correspondin ports rical shell or sleeve 30, ocated 1n a valve casing or fitting 31 provided with a gas inlet port 32 and with a .gas outlet port 33. The inlet port 32 is connected with the carburetor 21', and the outlet port '33 is connectedwiththe gas inlet pipe 20 leading to the cylinders-of the motor. The valve shell or sleeve 30 is fixed within the casing 31 and is open at its ends, and the hollow piston valve is also open at its ends, so that gas can pass into-the valve from the casing 31,111; all times and passto the motor when the ports 28 in the valve re 'ster with or uncover the orts 29in'the s c1130. The valve 25. is act upon by a spring35 seas to open supply gas to" the motor as long as the speed 0 he vehicle is below'the maximum set as determined upon by the owner or other on. The vvalve 25 is moved to-close-thesp'orts 29 and shut olfthe nated a pressure chamber, which is rovided with a llquid inlet pipe 41 extende up into it, and with a liquid outlet pipe 42 leading from the bottom of the pressure chamber, the said pipes communicating with a liquid pump, which is operativel connected with the runnin gear of the ve 'cle to be driven thereby on y when the \vehicle is in motion.

In the present instance, one f6rm of liquid pump is shown, which comprises a casing 43 containin two intermeshing gears or bucket w eels 44, 45, (see Fig. 7), which are mounted upon suitable shafts 48, 49, within the casing, one shaft as 48 being extended through one side of the casing 43 into a second casing50, wherein it has mounted on it a gear 51 in mesh with a gear or pinion 52, which in turn meshes with a gear 53 fast on the driven shaft d, (see Figs. 2 and 10). The pump casing 43 is provided with an outlet pipe 55, which is extended to the pressure chamber and is connected with or forms part of the liquid inlet pi e 41 therefor. The pump casin 43 is provi ed with a fluid inlet pipe 56, w ich in the present instance is connected with a liquid supply'tank or reservoir 57 (see Fi 1), which 18 connected .by a pipe 58 with t e outlet chamber 59 of a regulating device shown separately in Fig. 6, and consisting of a casing 60 havin a partition wall. 61 forming the outlet cham r 59 and an inlet chamber 62, which are adapted to be-connected by a port 63 in the partition wall61, with whichcoiiperates a valve 64. The inlet chamber 62 has connected with it the outlet pipe 42 for the pressure chamber 40.\ The valve 64 is provided as shown with a threaded stem 65, which is extended through the casin 60 and int a chamber 66 having a removab e wall or cover com risin a metal ring 67 and a glass disk 68,t oug which numbers on the bottom 69 of the chamber and indicative of speed units, such as miles, may be seen. The valve stem 65 has attached to it a handle or. pointer 7 O, which registers with the numbers referred to and which may codperate with studs or 7 ins 71 depending from the ring 67 and firming locking devices 'for the said pointer or handle to retain the latter and the valve 64 in their adjusted ositions for a purpose as will be described. y turning the handle 70, the valve 64 may be moved toward or. from the sure chamber 40, from which it port 63 so as to restrict or enlarge the fiow of liquid through the port and thereby increase or decrease the pressure of the liquid in the chamber 40 upon the dia hragm 38, with the corresponding result oi diminishing or increasing the amount of gas sup-' lied to, the engine. The cover of the chemr 66 in which the regulating apparatus I is located maybe sealed or locked to unau thorized persons, includin the chauflt'eur, by means of a lock 73, whic may be of any suitable or desired construction.

In the arrangement of the apparatus herein shown, the valve 25 is represented as independent of the usual throttle valve not shown, but which is under the control of the operator of the vehicle, and when the vehicle or car is at rest, the valve 25 is opened wide by the spring 35.

When the car is in motion, the liquid pump, 1s driven from the running gear of the vehicle and takes the liquid from the supply tank 57 and forces it intothe pres- I passes through the pipe 42 into the chamber 62 of the regulator, and if the valve 64 is open, said liquid passes throu h the port 63, chamber 59, and pipe 58, bac to the supply tank or reservoir 57. By varying the position of the valve 64 with relation to the port 63, the

circulation of the liquid may be varied so that more or less liquid accumulates in the pressure chamber 40 and the pressure of the same upon the diaphragm is varied, so that the valve 25 is operated to supply more or less gas to the engine according to the maximum speed it is desired the vehicle should travel. For instance, let it be supposed, that it is desired to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle to twenty miles an hour. In this case, the owner of the vehicle or other authorized person sets the handle or pointer to register with the number 20 of the regulator. This movement of the handle causes the valve 64 to be moved with relation to the port 63, so as to restrict the flow of the liquid through the regulator and cause the liquid to accumulate in the chamber40, until such pressure has been increased sufiiciently to move the diaphragm 38 and the valve 25 so as to diminish the supply of gas to the motor ti) such (extent as Wlll prevent the speed of the vehicle exceeding the maximum set, say twenty miles per hour, and if desired, the valve 25 may be entirely closed at such time. When the speed of the vehicle drops below the maximum, the pressure in the chamber 40 diminishes, and allowsthe s rin 35 to move the valve 25 in the o po- -s1te d rection and increase the supply 0 gas to the motor.

While the vehicle is traveling below the maximum s ed, the o erator is free to develop the 15? power 0 the motor if desired, as for instance in climbing hills or traveling over sandy roads. The sprmg 35 may be of such strength aswill hold the valve 25 wide open until" the vehicle is traveling at the maximum speed, at which time, the pressure in the chamber 40 has increased sufiiciently to overcome the spring and completely cut off the motor from the gas supply, or if desired the spring 35 may be adjusted to permit of a gradual closing of the valve 25. If desired the liquid pressure may also be utilized to apply a brake to stop the vehicle when the maximum speed limit is reached, which may be accomplished as herein represented, by connecting the pipe 55 with a chamber 80 (see Figs. 1 and 9), having a diaphragm 81, which acts on a lever 82 connected with a band brake 83, which engages a brake-wheel 84 fast on the driven shaft d. The brake band ,3 and its operating mechanism may be located in a suitable case 85. When the fluid pressure reaches the point at which the valve25 is closed, it may be sufl'icientto actuate the diaphragm 81 and apply the brake 83 tothe wheel 84, and when t e pressure is reduced, the brake may be released by the spring 86 acting on the sleeve 82..

From the above description, it will be seen that simple and efiicient means are provided for controlling the motor by the speed of the vehicle, so that the latter can be taken out of the control of the operator when itattains a predetermined maximum limit.

In Fig. "1, I have shown one construction of a paratus in which a moving body of liqui is responsive to the speed of the vehicle, but it is not desired to limit the invention to the particular construction shown. So also the pump for the liquid is shown as connected with the driven shaft d, but it is not desired to limit the invention in this respect, as it may be driven from some other part of the running gear of the vehicle, such, for instance, as the front wheel.

In Figs. 1 and 3, I haveshown one form of pressure chamber, in which the inlet pipe therefor is extended up into the same in the nature of a stand pipe and the liquid overflows the same into the pressure chamber wherein it accumulates, but it is not desired to limit the invention in this respect, as the inlet pipe 42 may be connected with the pressure chamber, so that the liquid circu- 'lates therethrough after the manner represented in Figs. 11 and 12. So also, the pressure chamber may be separate from the diaphragm containing 9 chamber and connected with the latter sented in Figs. 1-3. and 14.

In the arrangement shown in Figs; 13 and 14, the regulator is shown as located in the chamber 40 and consists of the valve 64 in the form of a piston or plunger, which coa pipe 90, as repreperates with a plurality of ports '63 in the upper end of the stand-pipe 41.

In all the arrangements of apparatus herein shown, it will be seen that a body of liquid is moved in response to the speed of the vehicle and controls the motor to render the latter ineffective to propel the vehicle beyond a predetermined limit.

In the present instance, the moving body of liquid controls the supply of gas to the -motor, and while this arrangement may be preferred, it is not desired to limit the invention in thisrespect; as the body of liquid may be used to operate a suitable circuit controller in the ignition circuit.

Claims.

1. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to operatively connect and disconnect said mechanism with andfrom said motor, a valve to control the supply of explosive medium to said motor, a chamber containing a diaphragm operatively connected with said valve, aliquid pump driven by said mechanism and actuated only when the vehicle'is in motion and connected with said chamber to create a pressure upon said diaphragm by a moving body of liquid, and means for regulating the liquid pressure upon said diaphragm to operate said valve and control said motor when the speed of the vehicle reaches a' predetermined point, substantially as described.

2. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to operatively connect and dis connect said mechanism with and from said motor, a valve to control the supply of explosive medium to said motor, a chamber.

containing a diaphragm operatively connected with said valve, a liquid pump driven by said mechanism and connected with said chamber to create a pressure upon said diaphragm by a moving body of liquid, means no for regulating the liquid Gpressure upon sai diaphragm to operate sai valve and control said motor when the speed of the vehicle reaches a predetermined point, a brake, and a diaphragm operatively connected with said brake and responsive to ressure of the said movin body of liqui substantially as descri ed.

3. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to operatively connect and disconnect said mechanism with and from said motor, a valve to control the supply of explosive medium to said motor, a diaphragm operativel connected with. said valve and actuat by a moving body of liquid, and meansconnected with the rungear of the vehicle to move said body quid and actuate said diaphragm to operate said valve when the speed of the vehicle reaches a predetermined-limit irrespective of the speed of the motor, substantially as described.

4. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to o eratively connect and disconnect said mec anism with and from said motor, a device to control said motor actuated by a moving body of liquid, and means connected with the running gear of the vehicle to move said body of 11 uid and actuate said device irrespective of t e speed of the motor, for the purpose specified.

5. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to o eratively connect and disconnect said mec anism with and from said motor, a device to control said motor actuated by a moving body of liquid, means connected with the running gear of the vehicle to move said body of li uid and actuate said device irrespective of t e speed of the motor, and means for varying the action of the body of liquid upon said device according to the maximum speed limit determined upon for the vehicle to travel, substantially as described.

6. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a. motor of the explosive type, a valve control-. ling the supply of gas to said motor, a diaphra to operate said valve, a governor means or operatively connecting the governor with the vehicle to cause the governor to respond to the speed of the vehicle at all times while the vehicle is in motion and irrespective of the speed of the motor, and means to 0 eratively connect said governor with said iaphragm and responsive to the movement of the vehicle.

7. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an engine or motor, means to control the operation of said engine or motor, a diaphragm to actuate said means, a governor, means to operatively connect said governor with said diaphragm, and means for operatively connecting'the governor with. said vehicle to d of the -vehic e at all times while the ve icle is in motion and irrespective of the speed of the engine or motor and thereb operate said diaphragm only when the veliicle is in motion. i

8. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, runnin gear for said vehicle operativel connect said motor means to contro the operation of the said motor, a fluid-containing system independent of the motor, a diaphragm in said system actuated by .the moving body of liquid to operate the means controlling the motor, and meansconnected with the run- 4 ning gear of the vehicle to move said body of liquid and actuate said controlling means independently of said motor.

9. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to o ratively connect and disconnect said mec anism with and from said motor, a device to control said motor actuated by a moving body of fluid, and

means connected with the running gear of the vehicle to move said body of fluid and actuate said device irrespective of the speed of the motor, for the purpose specified.

10. In a motor vehlcle, in combination, a motor of the explosive type, mechanism driven by said motor for propelling the vehicle, means to 0 eratively connect and disconnect said mec anism with and from said motor, a valve to control said motor actuated by a moving body of fluid, and means connected with the running ear of the vehicle to move said body of fluid and actuate said valveirrespective of the speed of the motor, for the pur ose s cified.

In testimony w ereo I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LAWRENCE WHITCOMB.

Witnesses: I

' JAs. H. Cn'unonmn,

. J. MURPHY. 

